Anyone with the slightest interest in history will be fascinated by the town of Hobart and its suburbs in Tasmania. Whether you want to check in on some places listed in the National History Register or start at Salamanca Market and improvise, you won’t be able to avoid countless picturesque and intriguing spots along the way. You have numerous Hobart Accommodation options available when you need a break. Here are some great attractions in the area.
Battery Point
Standing on the coast of Battery Point, it’s easy to imagine the days when great navies roamed the high seas and batteries protected the shores. Those days – and the cannons once used – are long gone, but Battery Point still has a distinct 19th century flavor. For an even closer look at the area’s early days, visit the Colonial Museum. Arthur’s Circus, which features some of Hobart’s oldest homes, should not be missed.
Female Factory
For women convicted and sentenced to a labor prison, ending up at the Cascades Female Factory was the worst case scenario. Begun in 1828 after expanding the site of a rum distiller’s factory, this prison camp has many original sections intact, allowing the visitor a glimpse into a long-departed piece of history.
The site ceased being the Female Factory as of the 1850s, but as different hospitals and other governmental institutions took its place, some of the yards were preserved. The entire site was left unused after 1904.
Parliament House
The John Lee Archer Parliament House in Hobart is the place to see history and modern government in action at the same time. Completed in 1841, the building was both Customs House and Parliament for Tasmanian officials until the early 1900s, when Customs offices were moved.
Still the seat of government for all Tasmania, Parliament House is open to visitors interested in parliamentary procedure or just excellent architecture.
History Tours in Historic Hobart
The History Tours of Hobart are an interesting and fun way to step into the past of this coastal area.
For a taste of the hard life of a Female Factory inmate, spend the afternoon on Louisa’s Walk, complete with live actors and a Cascades tour.
To enter the past of rum-running gamblers and lascivious women, take the Pub History Tour and stop in for refreshments at some of the old haunts along the way.